Achieve Your Goals

This was a card I made for my friend JJ who just graduated with his masters! The card is from a template I found and then I created an .svg out of it in illustrator. I then went to his school's webpage found an image of the mascot, imported it into illustrator, tweaked it so it was all one image and then cut both the cap and the bronco out in SCAL2.

The wording is from We R Memory Keepers glitter, foil and flock kit: Explore. You can't see in the picture but I rubbed an iridescent glitter sheet over the splatter and wording. LOVE LOVE LOVE these kits and I got a great deal on them at TJ Max recently.

Thanks for stopping by,

Mike.

My One and Only

I don't recommend making a card like this if you have OCD. Trying to line everything up drove me insane. However, really loved the final card. Will play around with this theme some more in the future.

Card: 5x7 by Paper Reflections

Glitter Paper: Die Cuts With A View

Blue Paper: Recollections @Michaels 

Sentiment: We R Memory Keepers: Foil Glitter and Floss

Shape: Cuttlebug Die *next time I will save time and cut using the cricut.

Adhesives:
3d dots
Zig Two Way Glue Pen

Apple of my eye

This was another quick card I made using create a critter and a Martha Stewart Thank-You card kit. Really like the dimensional aspects on this one.

friends

This was a quick card I made using Create A Critter. The card base is from a Martha Stewart Thank-You card kit.

Pink Stamper Color Challenge

Challenge was to use Yellow, Brown and Green.

This was my first time using my brand new Cuttlebug on a project! I love it and only have one folder! LOL. I may have to replace my cartridge addiction with a folder addiction soon.

This was also my second attempt at chalking with VersaMagic's Dew Drop Four Corners Set. The colors used are 72 Sahara Sand, 81 Niagara Mist
82 Wheat and 83 Sage 

The sentiment is from Making Memories. I folded it in half, added dimensionals to the back and chalked the edges. Then cut out a square block out of some brown scraps and attached it. 


Like the overall look on the one. Think the muted colors work well. Need to practice and look up some stamping and chalking techniques soon. 


Thanks for stopping by!


Mike

I have glitter in my eye!!!!

Ok so this was my first time ever using a glue pad. I used the Martha Stewart glue pad. I wasn't really impressed with the results. I am finding that hours later the glitter is still rubbing off on the image and isn't as crisp as I would like it to be. Maybe that is user error or maybe it just sucks. However, I do love her glitter and it is now in my chest hair and in my eye. I like to do crafts shirtless as I find clothing restricts my creativity.



I have a lot to learn when it comes to stamping...maybe glue pad was a bit advanced for me.

I will keep trying.

The card is a basic A2 size from a kit I purchased at goodwill.



Stamp is from friskars Birthday Stamp
Glitter: Martha Stewart
Stamp Pad: Martha Stewart

Flat Ribbon Trick for Card Making

Banner Project

 This is a project I made for my sister's baby shower in April. The flower shape is from Winter Woodland page 32- Snowflk1 cut at 6 inches on blackout. The font is Plantin schoolbook cut at 4 inches. The paper is from Michael's Recollections seaside. I used the crop-A-dile big bite to punch the holes and blue gingham  ribbon to tie everything together.

To glue everything together I tried Therm-o web sticky dots. I really loved this product but find it works best for simple shapes better than more intricate and delicate ones. The dots are much easier to peel off big simple shapes than intricate ones. Any excess glue can just be rubbed off. I am a fan and they made assembly a breeze!

The rubber ducks were made in Adobe illustrator and cut using SCAL2

Product Showcase

Highly recommend this product! It makes gluing fine die-cuts much much easier and less messy than a glue stick!

caramel-nut popcorn

Courtesy of Cuisinart.

Caramel Nut Popcorn

• 8 cups popped popcorn
• 1/2 cup whole almonds
• 1/2 cup roasted cashews
• 1/2 cup macadamia nuts
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter
• 1/2 cup light corn syrup
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  
• 1/4 teaspoon baking soda

1. preheat oven to 300* F.
2. prepare a sheet tray by lining it with foil; spray with cooking spray.
3. place popcorn and nuts in a large mixing bowl that has also been sprayed with cooking spray. reserve.
   
4. Place the butter, corn syrup, and brown sugar in a 3-quart saucepan over high heat. Bring mixture to a boil. Using a candy thermometer, bring mixture to 275* F, and remove pan from heat. Stir in vanilla and baking soda very carefully, as caramel will sputter when ingredients are added.
   
5. Pour mixture over popcorn and nuts and toss immediately with a heatproof spatula
6. Pour popcorn mixture out onto prepared sheet pan and place in preheated oven. Bake for about 45 minutes, stirring every 15 minutes.
   
7. Allow to cool and bake into pieces to serve.

Then package beautifully with all your fun papers and bows and enjoy.

Happy eating and crafting!

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challenge 12. Critter

Challenge 12 was to make a project using a critter!

I am NUTS about this project!

Challenge 9! Yum.

This challenge was to make a shaped project, card, or scrapbook page.

I decided since I made caramel popcorn earlier in the day to make a popcorn box to go with it!

Paper is Martha Stewart Crafts.
Treat Bags from Target.
Ribbon Target $1.00 spot.

Challenge 11

The colors of the rainbow theme!

Love the contrast between the dark outside and the sunny happy inside!

Challenge 10

Springy Theme!

Challenge 8

Monochromatic Challenge! One of my favorites thus far!

Love the flocking detail! It looks and feels just like suede.


Paper and flocking We R memory keepers (twirl) (love flocking kit)

challenge 6

Kid's theme. Getting Tired. Went out of order :( .

Made this for my sister who is having her first child. A boy named Collin in June. I am going to be a uncle again!

Really like the metal letter on this one.

Might go back after all these challenges are done and add more details. Right now, just want to get done lol.

Challenge 7

This is one of my favorite cards yet!

The theme was "Dad"

My dad is a Detroit Tigers fan, so I used the colors associated with the team.

The card base is from the sweethearts cartridge.

D was made in SCAL2

Letters old English font cut in SCAL2

challenge 5

This challenge was to make a card to show appreciation. I feel guilty, but this is a card kit from Martha Stewart Crafts I got at big lots during Christmas time. Great value for only $2.00.

Hope this counts!

Make A Splash! Challenge 4

This challenge was to use our least favorite cartridge or least used! Well I have to say I have never used Stretch Your Imagination until today and I wasn't really impressed with a lot of the images on it. However, it may be starting to grow on me!






How I am feeling so far:

Man did I stretch my own imagination today!

I have to say I am pretty impressed with myself today! I have been going since about 4:45am, worked a full 8 hours, came home and started the challenges!

I wish I could have done a lot more, but 4 is the best I can do in one day!

I am thankful for sites like the pink stamper because this has maybe been my 10th time using my cricut since I got in November of 2009.

I have had some of the cartridges for awhile now, but never used them!! Today was a first of many! :)

Really starting to like card making.....I think I get better with each and every project.

Challenge 3 The pink stamper

This is one of my favorite cards yet! For this challenge we had to "Think Outside the Box. Do something on your scrapbook page, card, or other item that you wouldn't normally do. Add something fun or crazy!!"

This was my first time doing flocking and I loved it. We r memory keepers made it so easy!

Another way I "thought outside the box" was to make the the pinwheel from create a critter cartridge movable.

I think this card turned out FANtastic!

Sadly, I think this is all I have in me for today. Work at 6am and have plans on Sunday, not sure how much I will be able to get done!

Pink Stamper challenge 2

This was a challenge to use some of our scraps. I had this beautiful blue and red leftover from a previous project. The rub on was from a wedding album I am still working on.

I will admit I did not make the card and envelope. Had them from a couple valentines ago.

I fully believe in using what is out there and making it your own. Saves time and who doesn't need that?

The pink stamper Challenge #1

I had to work until 2pm today, so I am a bit behind. Never done anything like this before and I am trying to play catch up and remain under and hour on each project.



Challenge #1: Mom Theme